Fiery Accident Closes Portion of Highway 59, Alternate Route Provided

A fiery, fatal accident closed part of Highway 59 in Bowie County in Northeast Texas last night and into this morning.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the accident occurred in the southbound lane of Highway 59 just north of the Sulphur River Bridge. The accident  happened around 10PM last night.

The DPS says 52-year-old Robert Clemenson of Atlanta, Texas died in the accident. One other person, who was not identified, was injured.

Details on the accident are sketchy, but a DPS spokesperson says it was a two-vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler tanker truck.

The truck reportedly burst into flames following the accident and caused a major fire that took time to be extinguished. The northbound lane of Highway 59 at the accident scene was re-opened around daybreak this morning, but the southbound lane remained closed.

Drivers headed south on 59 can take a right on FM 2148, then a left on U.S. Highway 67, and eventually a left on Texas State Highway 8, which will connect back with U.S. 59 south of the accident scene.

The investigation into what caused the accident is in its early stages and is ongoing.